Youhuang Xiang, a Chinese national and former Indiana University postdoctoral researcher, has admitted to smuggling E. coli bacterial DNA into the United States by concealing them inside a package falsely labeled as women's underwear. Xiang, 32, acknowledged that the shipment from China to his Bloomington, Indiana, residence in March 2024 contained hidden bacterial samples. The shipping manifest misleadingly declared the contents as "Underwear of Man-Made Fibers, Other Womens" to avoid U.S. customs scrutiny, according to federal prosecutors.
Federal authorities revealed that Xiang, while working at Indiana University's biology department on a J-1 non-immigrant visa, received the materials from a Chinese science-focused company. The FBI initiated an investigation after identifying suspicious shipments from China to university affiliates in late 2025. The Department of Justice stated, 'Investigators found it unusual that Xiang was purchasing and shipping women's underwear from China, especially from a company focused on science and technology innovation.' Xiang was detained at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on November 23, 2025, where he admitted to the mislabeling of the package and the concealed biological samples.
E. coli bacteria can be hazardous, causing severe health issues and even death. Most strains are harmless and aid in digestion, but some can lead to serious illnesses like food poisoning and kidney failure. In laboratories, E. coli is commonly used for research due to its rapid growth and genetic manipulability. However, U.S. law mandates proper declaration and authorization for importing biological materials to prevent potential risks to public health and the environment. Despite the plea agreement, the specific strain of E. coli smuggled by Xiang remains undisclosed.
As part of his sentencing, Xiang pleaded guilty to smuggling in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The court sentenced him to over four months in federal prison, imposed a $500 fine, and mandated one year of supervised release. Additionally, a judicial order of removal was approved, requiring Xiang's immediate deportation to China after serving his sentence. During the sentencing hearing, it was revealed that Xiang had concealed his membership in the Chinese Communist Party, exacerbating the severity of his offense, as per federal officials.